Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Christensen Arms Mesa,

I have a standard Mesa in 308 with a SWFA 3-9x. Accuracy hasn't been as consistent as I'd like but I like the rifle well enough I'll keep working with it for a while. I'd take either of my Fieldcrafts any day over the Mesa. Same with my Tikka...

I don't recall there being a thread protector included with it but will shoot it without the loudener next time out to see if there's any improvement.

You can get a cheap generic thread protector for 10-12 bucks off ebay.

2 seasons ago, at the last few minutes, on the last day I swapped my Mesa in 6.5CM for my buddies Ridgeline in 6.5PRC.
Both were launching the same bullet, mine a handload, his factory. I knew his would leave the muzzle ~150+ fps faster than mine and the distance was 460+ yards. Just a bit more impact velocity as insurance.

I laid the rifle across the backpack and waited for the cow elk to stand up. I guessed which direction it would turn and set the crosshair. I got lucky, the cow stepped into the crosshair and I fired.

That was the first time I ever handled a Ridgeline. The grip seemed the same as on my Mesa, the trigger pull the same, and the recoil trivial given the MB. I like it.

My hunting partner keeps trying to get me to buy one. I tell him he just needs to keep hunting with me.

Thanks for the tip - Christensen Arms lists theirs for $16 if I recall correctly. Big Stick talked about cutting the loudener back flush with the crown to serve as a perfectly matched thread protector. My rifle is bronze cerakote finished so his idea makes a lot of sense - I'm not a fan of muzzle brakes anyway

I told myself The Mesa wasn’t really what I was looking for,

I told myself that I did not need anymore rifles,

I told myself………oh whatever,

Left hand Mesa Ti in .308 headed this way,

Resistance was futile.

Do the mesa’s have different action lengths?

Yes.

Can the bolt handles be changed?

The bolt knob? Yes I believe they can be screwed off and changed,

I saw one at Scheels in Dallas a couple weeks ago and it was a nice looking rifle. I was in a hurry so didn’t look at some things too closely, I need to go look again.

If you really need a push, Eurooptics has some sale prices on these rifles.

Lol thanks

The handle is welded to the bolt on my son's FFT. I'm not sure that the carbon fiber bolt knob is removable from the handle, but maybe. The bolt handle is my least favorite part of the rifle.

I’m not real sure if there welded on or not, CA sells bolt knobs has components.

You're correct. The bolt knobs must all be threaded.

I’ve got a Mesa in 6.5 CM, with a Maven RS3 scope on it. I bought it 3 years ago, and it’s been very reliable. I have multiple hand loads for it, all H4350, with 140 BT, 140 AB and 143 ELDX. All hunting rounds, all under .430 moa. I bought it mainly for the grandkids to shoot deer, but it’s an enjoyable and dependable rifle. I’d buy another one.

CA offers thread protectors for both the lighter contour (CM) and heavier (PRC/Win Mag) contour in multiple colors.

I’m not a fan of the large “tactical” style bolt handle either. This is the reason I haven’t given a Mesa any serious consideration. I got a Mauser M-12 Impact a few years ago. Absolutely a great rifle all around, except that damn huge bolt handle.

If the bolt knob is threaded on, and I believe it is,

Can’t imagine a ‘smith couldn’t spin up a modified ball style knob quick like.

I’m also a fan of a simple Winchester style round classic knob.

I’ve used this guy. Quick and reasonable $.

The Polished Knob